10 Video Game Movie Posters That Almost Happened

Everyone loves to make fun of video game movies (probably because they're so terrible... ZING!), but as bad as they are, they could always have been worse. Try to imagine Demi Moore as Lara Croft. Really wrap your head around that one. That almost happened.

Of course, that's not the only video game movie that went through a few incarnations before it was (or wasn't) released. We partnered with Arcade Sushi to bring you 10 video game movie posters that nearly happened. (Photoshops by Kristy Puchko. Text by Emerald Catron and Nick Nadel.)

1

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz in 'Mortal Kombat'

Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp were among the actors considered for the part of Johnny Cage. (Interestingly enough, Jean-Claude Van Damme turned down the role to star in 'Street Fighter' instead. Seems like sort of a lateral move there, Jean-Claude.) Brandon Lee was originally cast as Johnny Cage, but he died while filming 'The Crow' and the part went to Linden Ashby, whom you might know from the TV show 'Army Wives' if you are our mom.

Cameron Diaz was also cast as Sonya, but broke her wrist during martial arts training and was replaced by Bridgette Wilson. We'll let you decide whether or not Cameron dodged a bullet there.

Kristy Puchko

2

Dwayne Johnson in 'Spy Hunter'

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was attached to star in a 'Spy Hunter' film back in 2003 with John Woo directing. Production stalled after a new script was written, and Woo and Johnson dropped out. However, there was a game tie-in to the movie featuring The Rock’s voice and likeness in 2005. So that kind of counts.

Kristy Puchko

3

Tom Hanks and Arnold Schwarzenegger in 'Super Mario Bros.'

Before the part went to Dennis Hopper, Arnie was considered to play Koopa. Studio execs thought Tom Hanks was asking for too much money to play Mario, so the part ultimately went to Bob Hoskins, who was actually a bigger box office draw at the time, thanks to 'Hook' and 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' What? It was the '90s.

Kristy Puchko

4

Demi Moore in 'Tomb Raider'

It was widely reported that Demi Moore was considered for the part of Lara Croft, but so was porn star Linsey Dawn McKenzie, which would make for a much more NSFW movie poster that almost happened.

Kristy Puchko

5

Mark Wahlberg in 'Uncharted'

Mark Wahlberg was going to play Nathan Drake in a film directed by 'Silver Linings Playbook' helmer David O. Russell. Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci were set to play Drake’s father and uncle, which would've been amazing for multiple reasons. Unfortunately Russell dropped out of the project due to creative differences and the cast followed, leaving 'Firefly' and 'Castle' fans to continue their campaign to get Nathan Fillion cast in the role.